2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Tuesday, September 22
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? 3 As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins who shall die.
25 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed, they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.
“… 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. …”
“His father was a lying, cheating, no-good bum. He’ll never amount to anything!”
“Her mother was a sweet, kind, and generous lady. I’m sure she’ll be just as good.”
Family legacy often prejudices people to the new reality. Like father – like son trumps what may be observed and proven. Even the best person whose parents were reprobates is often looked at with suspicion and mistrust. Conversely, the person whose parents were model citizens is often given the benefit of the doubt even when circumstances warrant that same suspicion and mistrust.
Through the prophet, the Lord is issuing a new directive. Rather than basing decisions on the faithfulness or lack of faithfulness of parental legacy, each person is going to be judged on their own merit. From now on, each person is responsible for their own relationship to the Lord. The faithful will be blessed; the faithless condemned. While this reasoning makes sense to us today, in Ezekiel’s time, this was big news.
Judging people based on prejudices about family legacy, ethnic makeup, or where they come from leaves little room for improvement. It also opens the door to apathy, abuse, and neglect. Reminding ourselves that each person is made in the image of God offers allows us to see each person as they are – as God sees them. This precludes bigotry and prejudice, and give us the opportunity to love each person as God loves them.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, you love each person and see them as unique. Cast aside our prejudices and help us to see one another with Your grace-filled eyes. Amen.